Perfect Party?

When I think of parties, it usually involves cake, ice cream and an ample amount of laughter. I enjoy parties whether its to dance, talk, or just hang out. However the two parties Nick attended at the Buchanans and at Myrtle's apartment is hardly what I would call fun.  The first party, at the Buchanans, Nick arrives to a beautifully furnished home in East Egg. Pretty people are present, such as Miss Baker and Daisy, and they are waited on by a butler. The party's sole purpose was to be a lighthearted night of catching up for some old friends, and make small talk over dinner. The conversation is polite and civilized and parallels the lifestyle and imagery of the scene, sophisticated. With the exception of masked tension between Tom and Daisy, and her confession to Nick on the porch, the dinner ran smoothly, almost in a fake, structured way. In contrast, the second party that Nick attends is much more chaotic and filled with public drama that leaves you wanting to know more. Myrtle's apartment party was originally for a few people to get together and drink, as well as introducing Nick to Tom's mistress, Myrtle, a stout woman in her 30s. The apartment is described as small with "furniture too large for it" and one has to "stumble about." Again, the disorganization of the apartment reflects the overall atmosphere of the party. There is an assortment of people mostly lower class with the exception of Tom and Nick somewhat and lots of drinking, in fact Nick notes that this is his second time ever in his life to be drunk. The conversation jumps around with the McKees talking about photography, to studies, to gossip, and finally ending the night in a dramatic climax of Tom punching Myrtle in the nose. Though both parties are vastly different, they both give Nick a perspective on the lifestyles of those that live on the East.